Ministers are expected to announce today that they will not adopt a mayoral system in Scotland, opting instead to keep Lord Provosts, non-political unelected city leaders. The move would suppress the growing power and influence of more militant politicians such as Tommy Sheridan, the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party.

It is also at odds with Labour's agenda of decentralising power but has the wide support of Scotland's local authorities. The issue was raised following a recommendation by the McIntosh report into improving local government to look into it. But The Telegraph has learned that following the furore over Mr Livingstone's election, Labour in Scotland has backed away from following a similar route.

In response a parliamentary question expected to be released today, Frank McAveety, local government minister, said: "On the issue of whether we should legislate to allow for a management structure involving directly elected provosts or leaders, we have noted the widespread opposition to this model of political management and have concluded that given the lack of demand for it and the degree to which it is not relevant to councils thinking or structural modernisation there would be no benefit on legislating in its favour."

An Executive source added that the Executive did not want to land itself in a situation similar to that of Tony Blair, who faced embarrassment over the Livingstone election, especially with growing support in the West for Mr Sheridan, who has seen the popularity of his party increase substantially since devolution. However one Labour backbencher criticised ministers and accused them of "backward thinking".

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The source said: "If you look at places like New York and Barcelona then you will see how they have become vibrant forward thinking cities under the stewardship of elected leaders. This will not happen as long as there are Lord Provosts. The current system is out dated but people are happy to keep the status quo and their cosy situation of having all the power in Edinburgh."

The nearest comparison to a mayor in Scotland is the Lord Provost, which is a non-political ceremonial role. Kenny Gibson, SNP shadow local government minister, welcomed the move. "I am glad the Executive has seen sense and listened to the concerns of Scottish local authorities and the local government committee. People are happy with the set up in Scotland and there are concerns that if mayors were elected that it would place too much power into the hands of one individual."